Headline Roundup • December 6th, 2024
Trump's Pick for Labor Secretary Illuminates a Political Realignment
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer (R-OR) is President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Labor Secretary. Some Democrats have welcomed the pick as positive for unions, while some Republicans have balked at the implications for business.
The Details: Chavez-Deremer notably co-sponsored the PRO Act, which would override "right to work" laws in 26 states. These laws guarantee workers don't have to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of their employment, a major handicap to unions' collective bargaining power. A first-term member of Congress, Chavez-Deremer lost a tight reelection race in November to the Democratic candidate.
Senators React: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said the nomination was an "early test" of the Republican Party's commitment to pro-labor priorities. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) also expressed positive feelings. On the Republican side, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said he needed clarity on whether Chavez-Deremer would "strip Louisiana's ability to be a right to work state." Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) also voiced concern.
How the Media Covered It: Business Insider (Lean Left bias) said the "pro-labor" PRO Act is aimed at "strengthening workers' ability to form unions." It noted that "organized labor and labor unions have enjoyed a bipartisan resurgence of support" in recent public opinion polls. In contrast, City Journal (Right) said the "radical" PRO Act would "roll back individual workers' rights," make it difficult for businesses to hire independent contractors, and breach workers' privacy. It described Chavez-Deremer as "not gung-ho for the PRO Act initially" and waited 16 months after the bill's introduction to co-sponsor it.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
As President-elect Donald Trump builds out his prospective cabinet, one nominee has emerged as a potential favorite of Democrats — and a headache for Republicans.
Trump announced last month that he's nominating Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a first-term Republican who just lost a tough reelection fight in a Democratic-leaning Oregon district, to serve as his Secretary of Labor.
President-elect Trump’s pick for Labor secretary has organized labor cheering and business groups sounding worried as the atypically labor-friendly choice could signal a new and more receptive stance toward unions from Republicans, who have long resisted labor’s agenda.
Following a recent increase in popularity among unions and the precedent-breaking appearance of Teamsters President Sean O’Brien at the Republican National Convention in July, the choice of Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) reflects the growing political importance of labor after an election in which working-class voters delivered a strong turnout for Trump and the GOP.
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City Journal
At first glance, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of one-term congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to serve as Labor secretary is mystifying. The former congresswoman seemingly isn’t qualified for the position; she lacks relevant experience and, unlike many Trump supporters, hasn’t even been a union member. The pick makes more sense, however, as Trump’s concession to International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) general president Sean O’Brien for his agreeing to speak at the Republican Nation Convention and keep his union on the sidelines during the election.
Chavez-DeRemer’s most notable experience in labor issues is her service on the House Education and the Workforce Committee...
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